Why Your Newborn Changes So Quickly — And Why Those First Weeks Are Worth Photographing

There is something slightly strange about having a newborn.

When you're in the middle of those first weeks, it can feel impossible to imagine forgetting them.

You are constantly looking at your baby, holding them, feeding them, settling them and learning everything about them. You know exactly how small they feel in your arms because you are experiencing it every day.

But our memories are funny.

Years later, you will remember that your baby was tiny. You will remember how tired you were, how much you loved them and how completely your life had changed. But you may not remember exactly how small their hands were compared with yours, how they curled their legs up when they slept, or the way their whole body fitted against your chest.

Photographs can bring those details back.

Not just because you can see what your baby looked like, but because photographs can remind you of how that moment actually felt.

Newborns don't stay the same for very long

The first weeks are full of little changes.

A baby who was mostly sleeping may suddenly have longer periods of being awake. Their movements become more active. They start looking towards sounds and faces. Their expressions become more varied.

Even the way you hold them can change as they grow.

This is one of the reasons I don't think there is one single “perfect” day for newborn photography.

Some families prefer to have their photos taken very early, when their baby is particularly sleepy and curled up. Others aren't ready straight away, and by the time they feel comfortable having photographs taken, their baby is a little older. That doesn't mean the opportunity has been lost.

Your baby may photograph differently at four weeks compared with two weeks, but there are still so many beautiful things to capture. The important thing is not to become so focused on getting the “perfect newborn photo” that you forget the reason you wanted photographs in the first place. You wanted to remember your baby.

You don't need to wait until everything feels perfect

One reason parents sometimes postpone newborn photographs is that they are waiting to feel ready. Maybe the birth didn't go exactly as planned. Maybe you're exhausted. Maybe the house is a mess. Maybe you're still figuring out feeding and sleeping. Maybe you don't feel particularly comfortable in your own body yet.

You may think you'll organize photographs once life settles down a little. The problem is that with a newborn, there is always something happening. And while you're waiting for the perfect moment, your baby is changing.

That's why I try to make newborn photography as relaxed as possible.

You don't need to arrive perfectly prepared. Your baby doesn't need to sleep for the entire session, and you don't need to know what to do in front of the camera. We can take breaks for feeding, cuddling and settling whenever your baby needs them. There is no need to rush.

If your baby is already a little older

If you're reading this and thinking, “I've left it too late,” don't assume that you have.

There is a lot of information online about the ideal age for newborn photography, and it can sometimes make parents feel as though they have missed a very small window. Babies are individuals, though. Some are sleepy and settled. Some are more alert. Some need lots of cuddling and breaks. Some simply don't want to sleep when the camera comes out. That's okay.

I work with the baby in front of me rather than expecting every newborn to behave in exactly the same way. If your baby is already a few weeks old, it is still worth getting in touch and talking about what you'd like to capture. The photographs may be different from what you imagined when your baby was first born, but different doesn't mean less beautiful.

If you're expecting a baby in Auckland and thinking about newborn photographs, you don't need to have everything planned perfectly. We can talk about what you're hoping to capture and choose an approach that feels comfortable for you and your family.

Whether you'd prefer a relaxed studio session or a lifestyle newborn session in your own home, the most important thing is that you have photographs that feel like your family and this particular stage of your life.

Because your baby will change. Probably sooner than you think. And sometimes it's worth stopping for a moment and keeping a little piece of this stage before it disappears.